Thursday, June 28, 2007

Clout Promotions?

Yes. we know this was on Fox News a day or so ago. And it's been bandied about in various comments sections. We were having some computer difficulties actually getting the video to load up. Here it is in its entirety.

We hope the officer has gone as far as she hoped to go on the job unless she can do it by score alone. And even if she makes it by score, there's always midnights in the 005 District to worry about.

Still, a fairly gutsy move to accuse the entire Department of something that it cannot or will not ever reveal the criteria for. It bears watching.

one has to applaud the effort to expose, and possibly eliminate, "merit" promotions; almost everyone on the job knows that they are fraudulent, without "merit", corrupted with political (family, friendship, ethnic, race, gender, or political) influence, and without established and published performance standards. Reforming the "merit" promotion percentages will be a daunting task, given historic city hall corruption and resistance, the politics of the CPD, etc., but it has to start somewhere. I suggest not to judge the critic, but to evaluate and reform the system; the federal monitor and her staff have their hands full, and perhaps their task is beyond their resources....but, how about the sight of current and former exempt members parading into a federal grand jury room to explain precisely how they "recommended" certain persons for promotion, why, and on what criteria, and also producing documentation to support those recommendations....and some local pols when they go into the grand jury, to either corroborate (or deny) the claims of some that they were "recommended", or that they did "no work" for the party, or to explain their personal/family/friendship/ political connections to those promoted.....what a hoot!

According to the Fox Chicago story she "even got a letter from the mayor praising her work on behalf of charity". It looks like the letter mentions the United Negro College Fund when you watch the video. That's fine, but so what. She raised money for a charity. What the hell does that have to do with getting a merit promotion? I agree 100% with her that merit promotions are a joke and an insult. I don't know of any overweight, unattractive woman getting merit promotions. There are plenty of heavy set ladies on the department to choose from. If this is the same Valerie Allen, and I think it is, she worked in 007 in the 90's. Her hair wasn't blond colored then and she was the watch secretarty on the 3rd and then 2nd watche for about 5-6 years while I was there. She was inside then, so I doubt she's been on the street the last 8-9 years. So please Val, stop already.

I think that the department is going to have to spell out what makes someone "merit" very soon. I am encouraged actually by this officer doing this. Although i took the last test and scored fairly well, i know that 30% of clout heavy people are going to make it just on who they know. It just is not fair, not in this day and age. It's definitely come time to define what makes somebody merit. At least if your going to promote them on merit, list their qualification for everyone to see.

Good For Her. I wish I had the media outlet to expose the dirty back door who you know bullshit. I have been passed over twice. The first time my score was 2 points off, However my answer sheet was not the same as the city's final tally. Yey some very good friends of mine, who did not studey and even knew what number they would be on the list before the test made it and went to nice assignments. This department sucks and you know it!!Yes therer might be a few who make it on score, but all the rest of the 30 percent is who you know and what UNIT your from.Look at the transfer order every month. People who move from choise unit to another choice unit like changing the oil on the car every 3000 miles, but I can get off a fuckin beat car after 16 years!We all know this is a clout heavy messed up system. The city will never come clean. As for Monique Bond, you should be ashamed of yourself. Better not to say anything than to lie!

promotions based on clout rather than legitimate merit? no shit. passed over for not knowing anyone? welcome to the club. I have to retired coppers for parents that were passed over when they were on the job as well... can they be named to the lawsuit as well? we all know why certain people are meritoriously promoted so whining about it isnt gonna help too much.

Call me stupid, but since late '97, early '98, anyone who takes a promotional exam has been made aware that the city is alottted a certain percentage (I forgot what it started at, but it capped out at 30%) for merit promotions.

Do the math, unless you score in the top 100-125 for Lt, you're not going to make it. And for sergeant, (I'm taking a wild guess here) it's somewhere between 250-400. Yeah, I know that's a wide range, but I told you I was guessing.

The story said she didn't make it on her score, so obviously, this woman scored waaaaaaay up there. Did you study? Are you not a good test taker? Did you take the most recent exam last year?

I was fortunate enough to be promoted to sergeant by my score, just before this merit shit kicked in.

I scored in the low 200's off the 2001 Lt's exam. Knowing I wouldn't make it off that list, I studied long and hard for the most recent test. Begrudgingly, I re-took the Lt's oral exam last Saturday. In my opinion, you were a fool if you didn't take it, especially after the questions (although they weren't quite right) were published in the paper. The department threw us a bone on this one.

I have no doubt this exam will end up in court and there's nothing I can do about it. I have no Chinaman, no phone call, nothing. If I'm lucky enough to score in the top 100 or so, good for me. If not, it's back to the books and a squad car for a few more years...

Girlfriend, get over yourself. Crack open those General Orders, quit worrying about what the next guy is getting and APPLY yourself to your studying.

I hope you know that as of right now, your career is O-V-E-R. You can forget the specialized units, the cush spots, etc. You shot yourself in the foot.

She has guts. Give her a merit promotion! Well spoken, thoughtful, she might make an excellent Sergeant.

She couldn't be any worse than some.

I like the comment about Cline's drivers getting merit promotions.

If Cline wanted to promote someone he should have had a fitness buff as a driver. Someone he could have worked out with in the HQ gym. Maybe he could have dropped 100 pounds or so off that magnificent body of his.

Reminds me of my dad. Only shorter and with a moustache. I wonder if he smokes Pall Mall.

FOP and most of you are damn fools for tolerating the following from the City of Chicago:

(1) Unless and until the CPD is compelled to publish standardized and explicit criteria for so-called "merit" promotions, 100% of all promotions should be based solely on competitive and objective written test scores administered by respected outside vendors. To allow any ranking CPD members or other city officials to participate in the promotional process is nothing more than a case of the foxes guarding the chicken coop. Political clout will continue to rule.

(2) So-called duty availability pay should be be awarded only for officers assigned to street duties on the third and first watches. Like other major depts., the corrected terminology will be "shift differential pay".

(3) The FOP should keep all members advised in writing of all salary, benefits, working conditions, standards, etc. of all big-city police departments throughout the nation.

(4) The CPD must pursue CALEA accreditation.

(5) The CPD must deemphasize often meaningless educational requirements in favor of standardized intelligence testing scores. Should an otherwise outstanding hire with only a high school diploma but a "gifted" IQ be denied? Certainly not.

Fine and dandy, but what makes her think that she's any more qualified than the next guy for a merit promotion? Plus, as far as I'm concerned, once she went on television she's now nothing more tham a tool for that cop hating liberal Larry Yellen. She allowed herself to be used. File a law suit, fine, go on tv, bad.

To all the critics, who cares what kind of cop she is or her qualifications. The point is she is 100% right and if you don't agree then you are a clout MF or an idot. If you accept the fact that the city gets 30% and does not have to qualify it or justify the promotions you are a sheep so go follow your leader baa baa.

Hey it should be a class action, then I can subtract the 30% and figure out where I would have ended up and sue for back pay and senority. I know that a group of sgt's did that and won an few years back and some of them even made Lt. That suit was based on changing the educational requirement mid-way thru the process. Hey FOP PBPA where are you.

TO WHO EVER WROTE.................we all know why certain people are meritoriously promoted so whining about it isnt gonna help too much...............................THATS WHAT MOST COPPERS DO AT WORK, AFTER WORK AND ON THIS WEB SITE....WHINE..AT LEAST SHE'S WHINING AND TRYING TO DOSOMETHING ABOUT IT.......IF IT CAN DRAW ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT THE MERIT PROMOTIONS AREA A SCAM, AND EXPOSE THE UNFAIR PROCESS, GO FOR IT, ALTHOUGH IT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO PROVE AND WILL BE YEARS BEFORE IT EVER SEES A JUDGE. SMART MOVE ON HER PART, ON A LONG SHOT, THE DEPT. MIGHT MAKE HER MERIT JUST TO GET RID OF HER SUIT, MAYBE, MAYBE THEY WON'T THEY WILL JUST GET CONTINUANCE AFTER CONTINUANCE AND SHE MIGHT BE RETIRED BY THEN....EITHER WAY, UNLESS SHE'S PAYING A LAWYER OUT OF POCKET, HOW CAN YOU LOSE??

PLEASE DEFINE MERIT!!!!Is it that you are an out standing police officer or that you are on the Michigan Ave Aall Star Fluffer Team? Did you get shot in the line of duty or does your ass look nice in poly pants? Did you save the Mayor ( a mistake ) or were you born in the right gene pool? Finally , did yu deserve to be made merit or are you some politcal lackey from the 11th ward, H.D.O, L.A.P.A. Bridgeport, The Southside or some "family" organization. This needs defination. I have been told our extensive list of orders, be it general, special or whatever else they publish cover every aspect of our job.... so show me the order on Merit Promotions. You know why there isn't one because it dosen't exist for all the reasons that are mentioned above. Somebody in teh media, I/G 's office or Fed. Office look at the bullshit that is pulled. I would be better off running a hired truck company but the media blew the lid off that "legit" program. Look at the dept. propotions, its all in front of you with a little digging.

if in fact two of cline's drivers were promoted and they had nothing to back up why they deserved the promotion other then being cline's driver then just on that i think she has a case.. good for you valerie

Anonymous said... According to the Fox Chicago story she "even got a letter from the mayor praising her work on behalf of charity". It looks like the letter mentions the United Negro College Fund when you watch the video. That's fine, but so what. She raised money for a charity. What the hell does that have to do with getting a merit promotion? I agree 100% with her that merit promotions are a joke and an insult. I don't know of any overweight, unattractive woman getting merit promotions. There are plenty of heavy set ladies on the department to choose from. If this is the same Valerie Allen, and I think it is, she worked in 007 in the 90's. Her hair wasn't blond colored then and she was the watch secretarty on the 3rd and then 2nd watche for about 5-6 years while I was there. She was inside then, so I doubt she's been on the street the last 8-9 years. So please Val, stop already.

6/28/2007 01:26:00 AM

i think you are missing the point. who cares if it is this valerie this opens the door to have in writing-guide lines for merit spots

LOL! HOW DOES SHE KEEP HER JOB? BOND HAS BEEN IN THE MAYORS PRESS OFFICE, THE AIRPORT PRESS OFFICE AND NOW CPD NO ONE WANTS HER BUT WHOEVEER SHE DOES "UNDER THE DESK" KEEPS HER WHY? SHE IS NOT PRETTY AS A MATTER OF FACT, AND SHE HAS NO PERSONALITY! SHE EVEN WORKED FOR HUBERMAN AT OCC AS A SPOKESWOMAN AND HE DID NOT EVEN KEEP HER! LETS PROMOTE HER SHE FITS THE STATS!

As a person who has been promoted to Det,Sgt & Lt without any clout I applaud her for having the balls to go public. She also came across as articulate and thoughful. However I would have preferred someone who actually passed the test and was passed by numerically due to "merit" to be the one to file the lawsuit. There are hundreds of police out there who would have made it by test score if we went in rank order off the list. The person who was "a few points short" of passing on a pass/fail exam should not be our spokesperson.

The whole system needs an over-haul. There are plenty of good officers to busy doing police work to sit and study G.O. or S.O.. Are not those the officers we want as supervisors?Test scores only mean your good at taking a test. So what.

Good for her! And I have NO problem with her going on tv...she looks presentable and is well-spoken. It's hard to argue against what she is saying. She isn't saying that she is better than anyone else...she seems to be saying that the system is broken- that 3 in 10 SUPERVISORS may not be qualified. Hard to argue with that. She didn't play the race card, didn't play the female card. Congratulations, and at the very LEAST she should be applauded for having the balls to say what has been on most of our minds for years. Hopefully her lawyer bases the case on PUBLIC SAFETY...in that 30 percent of supervisors may in fact endager the public due to a lack of bona-fide supervisory qualification. Then the city will have to show what the qualifcation standard for Merit really entails!! BIG thanks to her, and DO NOT SETTLE!!

I hope more and more P.O.s start suing over these meritless promotions. I just might give her lawyer a call. No one will say what merit is because there are no standards it who you know and who you blow. The city should be forced to drop merit. There are det's,sgts and Lt.'s on this job that are complete morons and just get by because daddy helped them or they got signatures for the alderman, I hope the feds take over this department.

How about trying to pass the test first? I don't think anyone should get it if they don't pass the test. Who fucking cares if you got 2 honorable mentions and a dc or a Caps award which is probably why your picture was taken with the Sup. I have 6 DC's, 2 Life Saving Awards, Officer of the month, 205 honorable mentions. See me crying because I am "decorated" and got passed over. That is all we need is another do nothing f/1 Sgt. Take a hike and go back to being a house mouse.

Where I see a problem with the promotional testing process is the test itself.

The reality is that the department gives you a set of general orders,special orders,and miscellaneous other reading materials, that are as volumenous as a large city yellow pages book.

UNCLOUTED officers study and read that stuff for months in an attempt to score reasonably well.

However, CLOUTED officers are invited to secret study groups, sometimes held in conference rooms led by high ranking exempts who are FRIENDLY, with other exempt members WHO play a role in designing the exam. (wink,wink)

The UNCLOUTED who studied 100% of the tasks as written in the G.O.s and S.O.s arrive testing day only to learn that 80% of the test only asks questions about a few obscure topics. The result is an average score and months of study and preparation time wasted.

The CLOUTED get a late night phone call (wink,wink,nod,nod) shortly before test day telling them to read and focus on G.O. #'s 1,2,3 and S.O. #'s 4,5,6 ONLY. Their result is an above average score because they studied 100% of the 80% mainly covered. Hence,they are almost guaranteed a promotion.

SO IN REALITY THE MERIT PROMOTIONS are 20%/30% by the selection board, and maybe another 5,10,15,20% or more (Who knows?) by the establishment. The only one's who truly know are those lucky few. And the only way it will be exposed is if one of them exposes the practice(UNLIKELY)because they enjoy the added salary,retirement bump,power and prestige that go along with it.They aren't going to hurt themselves or their families.

This goes on we all know it!If you don't believe it, KEEP DRINKING THE KOOL-AID!

So in reality the Mayor and the 5th Floor at headquarters already have MORE "meritcloutorious" than the current 20/30 percent respectively, as sey forth in the current collective bargaining agreement.

Monique Bond is the "Poster Child" for merit and clout in this city. Her picture should be in the dictionary next to those words!

A class action suit would probably garner a few thousand plaintiffs. Someone should start a list here of the names of those promoted by clout and the name of their clout (usually an alderman)... just for fun. It could be entertaining and enightening!

Look at it this way, do you know of any supervisors kid that hasen't been or hasen't yet been promoted? Even if they are total screwups they will be placed somewhere. I have hear it before,"Study for the test", thats all well and fine, but the tests we take are graded by whom? Why does it take so long to get results? What are the qualifying parameters? I always walk away from a test thinking I aced it yet when I get the ranking score I can't beleive I took the same test as eveyone else.Then I see an officer who never did any work get promoted. The so called merit promotions have nothing to do with actual merit, work ethic, or even showing up on time every day. It's disgusting.

I applaud the effort to raise awareness to the BS that is the merit promotion process....BUT

is this really the poster child for that crusdae? I wonder, and I am going off just what I saw on the news. I do not know this female police officer, I dare call her a cop, because I'm not sure if is worthy of being anything but a house mouse.

Could we not find somebody with a little bit more work ethic and street work to lead this for the rank and file who do not have clout? Not someone who did not do well on a test, who worked in two cush units, and who was a secretary to a boss in the past...Is this really about the clout process or is this crying about spilt milk to somebody who lost her clout???

Though all of this talk, nobody mentioned Kline's kid. He'll be a Lt. soon or I'll eat my hat. But of course he did study his ass off to make gang specialist, detective, Sgt., and soon to be Lt. Nepotizm in practice. But Daley's father even said it when Johnny boy couldn't pass the real estate exam: "if you can't take care of your family, then who can?" Now Johhny's a County Comm.

I disagree with not giving coppers on the 2nd watch "duty availibility pay". Just because they work days shouldn't disqualify them from that bennie. If you want to make it a true "shift differential", then do it like industry. 3rd watch gets 10% more and midnights gets 15% more.

Anonymous said...Study for the test you &^%$$$^*. 6/28/2007 01:11:00 AM

Yeah your a STROKE, we're battling amongst ourselves for 70 percent of promotions, her point is that the other 30% don't deserve it based on the lack of an open forum of how they were made. Based on your derogatory comments I'm sure your one of the kiss asses who claim they were not aided by an exempt.

Anonymous said...She raised money for a charity. What the hell does that have to do with getting a merit promotion? I agree 100% with 6/28/2007 01:26:00 AM

Guess What, this is how the city works!!!! Especially when it involves the CROOK county system.

Anonymous said...

Girlfriend, get over yourself. Crack open those General Orders, quit worrying about what the next guy is getting and APPLY yourself to your studying.

Sure, stop worrying about the next guy (crook county way) worry about yourself. "APPLY yourself!" Get friggin real, 30% is going out to those that don't apply themselves!!

She is in Asset forfeiture Unit now, was in narcs i believe and the Supes office when Hillard was in. It's obvious her clout dried up and she is salty. How else did she get to those units? quit patting her on the back, she is just crying now that her juice is dry.......

The story will die and she will all of teh sudden make Sgt. Then Lt. like real fast. Bye Bye law suit. pay attention when it does cause we can all sue then and maybe the majic sgt fairy will grant us our stripes!

yes watch secretary in 007, Supt. Secretary under Hilliard, then when he leaves where does she want to go: Asset Forfeiture. Yes and she does not know anything about clout and no one to call. PLEASE. Sounds like a crybaby whose clout retired. Why was she not promoted before when she worked in Supts Office. Comparing herself to the Sgt. that came out of Clines Office is a joke. Yes her awards deatured on the show, picture with Supt. Martin and a letter from Mayor for off duty charity work. It is an insult to the POS who work everyday. Granted merit system needs improvment but this is a poor example to carry the flag

what a complete asshat!!!!! so, because you have received department commendations you feal that you should be promoted to sergeant????who hasnt received these awards...anyone that has them knows that the northside districts get them from everything including a felony shoplifter to writting 100 parkers in a period. as a southsider im lucky to have gotten 7 different ribbons for different things and i can honestly say i deserved all of them and more.does that mean i should be a sergeant????she is a hack period!!!

If you wanted to do well on the last SGT test you didn't have to shell out cash to those study groups the academy gave the answers away in that supervisor's guide. Problem is they only gave it to the chosen few than released it in May after the test.

STUDY, STUDY, STUDY! THAT'S WHAT I DID TO SCORE AND MAKE DETECTIVE FROM THE 1998 TEST, AND SCORE UNDER 200 ON THE LAST SERGEANT'S EXAM. I QUIT MY PART TIME JOB AND TOLD BY FAMILY WHAT THE PROMOTION MEANT TO OUR FUTURE. OFFICERS SHOULD DEFENITELY CHALLENGE THE CURRENT MERITORIUS PROCESS. BUT IN THE END, DEPEND ON YOURSELF!

All you lames bitching about "she's a house mouse" are no better yourselves! You sit behind your computer and complain and make your stupid racist remarks. Bottom line she has the guts to go on television and complain. She also has done as much work as any driver, but you not crying about them! Then we have the "I'm not in a unit" cry babies, you don't do shit in the Dist and you wouldn't do shit in a unit.

How about this you dumb bitch, take the test, score well and then you don't have to worry about merit. She's also basically saying that if she had the "clout" to be put in for merit and be pushed, that she would have taken it, just like I did. All you other asshats that are applauding her like she is a hero, get real! Signed, Meritorious Lt.

Yeah, she knows nothing about clout, yet she is assigned to asset forfeiture. Funny, I have not seen a vacancy opening bid for that unit in the 21 years I've been on the job. What a phony! Come on guys and girls, she didn't even pass the G*& D&^%$ test by her own admission. One more thing, if you don't like the 30% merit, per the FOP contract, stop ratifying these FOP contracts in a heartbeat because you want your piddly back pay check, which the city owes you.

I once knew a guy who had no clout. He gets called in, the DC gives him some paperwork, tells him to fill it all out, and return it by a certain date, along with a department resume. The P.O. scrambles to get the package prepared and spends several RDO's and free time doing a resume.

He walks in to return it on the determined date. He is told "who is your phone call?" P.O. replies "excuse me? D.C. repeats the question while looking over the packet. The D.C. after looking at it, essentially said it was one of the best ones he had ever seen in his career. P.O. say's "no phonecall."

The D.C. than tells the P.O. that "you should be honored that you were selected to participate in the merit process, but you most likely won't get it!"

P.O. is still a WORKING P.O. in a busy district. But his feelings are that if he had no chance what-so-ever why'd they waste his time? He didn't ask for it,but he spent several day's preparing for nothing.

THAT'S WHY WHEN THERE IS MERIT ANYTHING, IT NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE OPEN, NOT IN SECRET. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF STANDARDS PUBLISHED AND ALL RANK-AND-FILE OFFICERS HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW WHO THE MERIT PROMOTIONS ARE.

If it is fair, than why all the silence and denial?

We all know co-workers who are merit, but they continue to deny it. Why? Are they embarassed or just ashamed?!

not a bosses kid said... Where I see a problem with the promotional testing process is the test itself.

The reality is that the department gives you a set of general orders,special orders,and miscellaneous other reading materials, that are as volumenous as a large city yellow pages book.

UNCLOUTED officers study and read that stuff for months in an attempt to score reasonably well.

However, CLOUTED officers are invited to secret study groups, sometimes held in conference rooms led by high ranking exempts who are FRIENDLY, with other exempt members WHO play a role in designing the exam. (wink,wink)

The UNCLOUTED who studied 100% of the tasks as written in the G.O.s and S.O.s arrive testing day only to learn that 80% of the test only asks questions about a few obscure topics. The result is an average score and months of study and preparation time wasted.

The CLOUTED get a late night phone call (wink,wink,nod,nod) shortly before test day telling them to read and focus on G.O. #'s 1,2,3 and S.O. #'s 4,5,6 ONLY. Their result is an above average score because they studied 100% of the 80% mainly covered. Hence,they are almost guaranteed a promotion.

SO IN REALITY THE MERIT PROMOTIONS are 20%/30% by the selection board, and maybe another 5,10,15,20% or more (Who knows?) by the establishment. The only one's who truly know are those lucky few. And the only way it will be exposed is if one of them exposes the practice(UNLIKELY)because they enjoy the added salary,retirement bump,power and prestige that go along with it.They aren't going to hurt themselves or their families.

This goes on we all know it!If you don't believe it, KEEP DRINKING THE KOOL-AID!

So in reality the Mayor and the 5th Floor at headquarters already have MORE "meritcloutorious" than the current 20/30 percent respectively, as sey forth in the current collective bargaining agreement.

Monique Bond is the "Poster Child" for merit and clout in this city. Her picture should be in the dictionary next to those words!

6/28/2007 12:27:00 PM

***********

Well put! Very well put! This kinda crap has been goin on for yeeeeeears and everyone seems to turn their heads and ignore those facts cause they are TRUE! The unclouted get stepped on while the chosen climb on their backs. Time for some well deserved and needed changes boys and girls.

Anonymous said... "The (Chicago Police) department does not consider any other factors other than the best qualified candidate for the job in making promotional decisions." - Monique Bond, Police Spokesperson

Anonymous said... Though all of this talk, nobody mentioned Kline's kid. He'll be a Lt. soon or I'll eat my hat. But of course he did study his ass off to make gang specialist, detective, Sgt., and soon to be Lt. Nepotizm in practice. But Daley's father even said it when Johnny boy couldn't pass the real estate exam: "if you can't take care of your family, then who can?" Now Johhny's a County Comm.

6/28/2007 03:39:00 PM

TRUE LOOK AT HOW EDDIE BURKE GOT HIS BROTHER DANNY THE ASST CITY CLERKS JOB FOR 105K PER YEAR THEN HE ALSO DREW A NICE SALARY AS STATE REP! THEN WE HAVE BILL LIPINSKI GIVING THE JOB TO HIS "SPECIAL" SON DANNY LIPINSKI, THEN WE HAVE JOHN STROGER "IS HE STILL ALIVE?" GIVING THE JOB TO TODDLER. THEN MIKE MADIGAN GIVING HIS DAUGHTER A STATE REP SPOT THEN THE AG SPOT AND HE WANTS TO ANOINT HER GOVERNOR COME NEXT ELECTION! THEN BILLY BEAVERS AGAVE HIS DAUGHTER AN ALDERTHUG SPOT BUT SHE WAS TO DUMB TO GET IT DURING AN ELECTION! AND IT GOES ON AND ON! THE CLOUTED EVEN THOUGH WITH DUMB SIBLINGS GIVE THEM THE JOBS THERE IS NO CLOUT ON CPD FUCK YOU IF YOU BELIEVE THIS BULLSHIT!

To those making disparaging remarks about PO Valerie Allen you are either a worried clout pooch or much worse, you are TOO much of a COWARD to standup and MANUP yourself....

LOTS OF BRAVADO ON THE JOB, not many Coppers with Balls though....I give this chick props for standing up. You should be supporting her. The city might conveniently find some fabrication to jam her and FIRE her...

"The CLOUTED get a late night phone call (wink,wink,nod,nod) shortly before test day telling them to read and focus on G.O. #'s 1,2,3 and S.O. #'s 4,5,6 ONLY. Their result is an above average score because they studied 100% of the 80% mainly covered. Hence,they are almost guaranteed a promotion."___________________________________Damn! Whoever you are, you're so right! This is exactly what Mauer did for his friends and staff. Even though, some were just too stupid to even pass. But must say, alot of them? Passed Flying Colors!

Also, great to have friends and family in Personnel. Lets just say its better to study for the Answers than the actual 3000 plus pages of study material.

Clout promotions ended in Chicago with the Shackman Decree. So learn the facts before you go spouting off.

6/28/2007 06:49:00 PM ___________________________________Are you that fucking ignorant to say such a thing you loser prick!Yeah, and most of the guys waiting on their promotions are still waiting for the Great Pumpkin Too. THE FACTS? The Fact is, is that they initiate an investigation of Merit and Assignments to certain Specialized Units like they've done in the Water Dept. and Streets and Sans, you'd see that it would make all the other City Departments that have questionable Hiring/Promotional/and Assignment practices look like a fucking lemonade stand.

Most of these posts are supportive, and they should be. It's not a question of whether or not you've been promoted, or haven't been promoted. It's a question of there being ABSOLUTELY NO CRITERIA for even being considered. You can't even apply to be considered for a merit promotion. To the whiners who have posted above, I say this: I already know you aren't in the Patrol Division, because if you were, you would be burning up her lawyers phone line. How can 3/4 of the Department only represent 50% of the average promotional exam? It's because the ass-kissers in cushy units that have have been taken care of their whole careers make up a disproportionate amount of merit selections. That officer did something that most of us have thought about, but never had the stones to do.

Anonymous said... they'll either give her a promotion to shut her up or they will make her life in this department a living hell, all for speaking her mind and telling the truth.

6/28/2007 10:18:00 PM

THE BET WOULD BE ON MAKE HER LIFE HELL! THE COWARDS AT THE TOP HATE BEING IN THE SUNSHINE WITH THEIR LIES AND BULLSHIT! GOOD LUCK TO HER AND IF I CAN ASSIST HER I WILL HELP HER AS SHE HAS RAW COURAGE TO EXPOSE THIS DIRTY TRICK! GOOD JOB DALEY YOUR CAUGHT YET AGAIN ARE YOU INDICTED YET? LETS PRAY IT WILL HAPPEN VERY SOON!

I hate "merit" promotions. But Valerie Allen has used connections her entire career. It was fine and dandy when she made phone calls, and asked for favors to work in Narcotics, as 007th District watch secretary, in Hillards office, and now in Asset Forteiture. She's not mad about the "merit" system, she's mad that she hasn't been made sgt yet. If she was offered a "merit" promotion while working as a secretary in Hillards office you think she would have refused the promotion because or her strong convictions regarding the unfairness of the "merit" process. Hell no! "Merit" promotions have had the same effect as welfare. We have created an entitlement mentality among police officers. Show me the guy or girl who scored 211 on the test, but due to "merit" they only promote 210 off the list out of a class of 300. They are the victims here. Ask someone who took sgt tests in the mid and late 80's. The department adjusted their scores based on race. Valerie Allen is not brave, she's angry.

No matter how much we complain, the simple truth is there is absolutely no way to fairly gage "merit" on this job. You cannon compare someone assigned to the desk, the lock-up, the front office, a beat car, a detective, a traffic guy, hit & run, or the academy. Let us assume that each is the best beat officer, desk, lock-up keeper, front office, detective, traffic guy, hit & run investigator, or instructor he or she could be (even tho each of us holds an opinion on each). How do you determine fair "merit" for any of these positions? How do you compare one from the other? Each job has its good sides and bad sides. But how can you measure their "merits" compared to each other? Arrests? Reports? CR's? Tickets? What? But even after you get past all that, nothing is going to change until the merit selection is out in the open for all to see.

How about trying to pass the test first? I don't think anyone should get it if they don't pass the test. Who fucking cares if you got 2 honorable mentions and a dc or a Caps award which is probably why your picture was taken with the Sup. I have 6 DC's, 2 Life Saving Awards, Officer of the month, 205 honorable mentions. See me crying because I am "decorated" and got passed over. That is all we need is another do nothing f/1 Sgt. Take a hike and go back to being a house mouse.

If they posted the merit list with transparency it would demoralize the department much further. Secondly, by transferring a merit boss to a district he never worked, it makes the transition much easier. You can still spot a merit pooch very easily if you are an experienced street cop. It is in their vocabulary and what they don't know they don't know. It shows.

All you lames bitching about "she's a house mouse" are no better yourselves! You sit behind your computer and complain and make your stupid racist remarks. Bottom line she has the guts to go on television and complain. She also has done as much work as any driver, but you not crying about them! Then we have the "I'm not in a unit" cry babies, you don't do shit in the Dist and you wouldn't do shit in a unit.

6/28/2007 09:29:00 PM

I agree! I couldn't do it, this dept is going to fuck with her every chance they get. Years ago I spoke up about something that was just plain wrong yet I was fucked with every day and had to leave the dist. Those that speak out had better be aware. look out.

Anonymous said... "The CLOUTED get a late night phone call (wink,wink,nod,nod) shortly before test day telling them to read and focus on G.O. #'s 1,2,3 and S.O. #'s 4,5,6 ONLY. Their result is an above average score because they studied 100% of the 80% mainly covered. Hence,they are almost guaranteed a promotion."___________________________________Damn! Whoever you are, you're so right! This is exactly what Mauer did for his friends and staff. Even though, some were just too stupid to even pass. But must say, alot of them? Passed Flying Colors!

How do you think I got made??Listen I give the new guys the old"work hard and study,look at me"routine,you can't smarten up some kid with two years on the job.....who'd work if they knew the truth?

Anonymous said... if in fact two of cline's drivers were promoted and they had nothing to back up why they deserved the promotion other then being cline's driver then just on that i think she has a case.. good for you valerie

6/28/2007 09:40

Dont forget about Clines son and his best friend from his academy class who made Sgt. with only 6 yrs on!

The City runs much like the U.S. Army. In the Army, you can rise only to the rank of Major without being connected. Coronel requires political sponsorship as do the ranks above that. In the City, it is possible to rise to the rank of lieutenant without a phone call, but its very unlikely for the rank of captain or above. That's where the real power and economic rewards are. Those jobs only go to the "anointed".

Anonymous said... Anonymous said... if in fact two of cline's drivers were promoted and they had nothing to back up why they deserved the promotion other then being cline's driver then just on that i think she has a case.. good for you valerie

I agree! I couldn't do it, this dept is going to fuck with her every chance they get. Years ago I spoke up about something that was just plain wrong yet I was fucked with every day and had to leave the dist. Those that speak out had better be aware. look out.

6/29/2007 08:56:00 PM

Same thing here! But do you think in this climate of clout being looked at by SCC for one they will screw with her? Time to use the media machine for our own good valerie at least attempted to turn the tide! Hope she wins!

How does Allen think she is more qualified than any other "working" police officer. What about the ones that work a beat car and make arrests or are FTO's, dont they qualify for merit promotion? Allen has worked inside her whole career and if Hillard didnt make her what does that tell you? Cline only made one of his drivers,JM, the other one was Hillard's driver that got made in the first class when Cline took over, SM. What shit it would be if they promoted her just to avoid the lawsuit, which is probably what she is hoping for, then all of us can say we were passed over! What a cluster that would turn out to be!

I hate "merit" promotions. But Valerie Allen has used connections her entire career. It was fine and dandy when she made phone calls, and asked for favors to work in Narcotics, as 007th District watch secretary, in Hillards office, and now in Asset Forteiture. She's not mad about the "merit" system, she's mad that she hasn't been made sgt yet. If she was offered a "merit" promotion while working as a secretary in Hillards office you think she would have refused the promotion because or her strong convictions regarding the unfairness of the "merit" process. Hell no! "Merit" promotions have had the same effect as welfare. We have created an entitlement mentality among police officers. Show me the guy or girl who scored 211 on the test, but due to "merit" they only promote 210 off the list out of a class of 300. They are the victims here. Ask someone who took sgt tests in the mid and late 80's. The department adjusted their scores based on race. Valerie Allen is not brave, she's angry.

Exactly! merit and clout were fine when it benefitted her, now her clout is gone and she's angry so she beefs. The only people who should be meritorious IMHO are those that have been in horrific incidents on this job, being, shot, stabbed, run over, etc and maybe some who are really exceptional, and we should be told who and why........

The City runs much like the U.S. Army. In the Army, you can rise only to the rank of Major without being connected. Coronel requires political sponsorship as do the ranks above that. In the City, it is possible to rise to the rank of lieutenant without a phone call, but its very unlikely for the rank of captain or above. That's where the real power and economic rewards are. Those jobs only go to the "anointed".

It's been that way in the service forever, politicians used to pick Colonels and above, if a supervisor wanted to promote someone it had to be approved by the politicians, nothing has changed.....

To many holes in the sinking boat, it just can't be fixed. It all started with caps and steady watches. Also to many non police hired last 10 or so years. I'l be out of here in Feb. and I don't plan on looking back. Ms.M. Bond can say alot about clout, cause if she didn't have any Ms. Bond would be working at Target.

If PO Allen had raised bookoo bucks for our shining POLICE MEMORIAL, she definitely would have been wearing chevrons by now!SHe just picked the wrong charity to beg for!!!

___________________________________

You are so right with that statement. If you look outside of the Superintendent’s Office displayed are large poster board checks from donor organizations. One from LAPA (Latin American Police Association) and one from HAPCOA (Hispanic America Police Command Officers Association) two large and influential CPD Hispanic associations. Both have made contributions to the Police Memorial and both of their Presidents have been promoted soon after. AKA – Sgt. Jerry Negrette and ADS Robert Lopez. There are also many more that have made large contributions (or their spouses has) and have been soon after promoted such as Capt. Judy Martin….and Commander Gross who made a donation from his Detective Study group. None of this is BS, there are photos and deposits to verify what I am saying. The money did not even belong to these guys, it came from the membership of these organizations or from you. And look, it is not just minorities or Hispanics. Bottom line, if you want that promotion, give to the right charity, the Police Memorial.

way to go val! its about time that someone talks about how blatantly cline put his people where he wanted them. i took the sgt's exam in 2001 i didnt make until 2006. by that time the clines and mauers are poised to be lt's. safe money is that they will make it on the first list.

off the subject... this is sgt kirkland crossley. this is my first time on the blog. i reviewed the many comments that were made about me and i am thankful for you comments and concerns both good and bad. my only intent was to make my fellow officers aware of a new danger that is out on these streets. maybe i should have kept it hush hush, and let it eventually find its way to an officer safety alert that normally ends up on the floor of a roll call room. still i believe i did the right thing. sure, i just put a brick on myselfbut if it means that all of you go home your families at the end of the day. so be it! dont blame sgt sesso for his comments, he was on orders. to read some of this stuff was very entertaining. MERITORIOUS! ARE YOU FRICKIN KIDDIN ME! i wish. i was 257 on the list. dont believe me i'll fax you a copy of my ranking notification. but since ive said waaaaay to much already ill end it with this. no matter what you think of me and what i said, you do the research and make your own decision. thanks kirk 002 midnights

Ok Leave Val alone, you know the ranger code. She has worked the street and was the w/s in 007, but she has put some time in. My problem is hell she worked for Cline in his office for 2 yrs and then got some spot in a specliazed unit, so you aint got promoted humm mabye there is somtin else wrong then.

Why does the department need spokes persons? A bunch of money could be saved if the on scene sgt would tell the media no comment. The department got along fine years ago without these stuttering fools.